Report: Dallas Cowboys to Release Tony Romo

OXNARD, CA - JULY 30: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys passes during the first day of training camp on July 30, 2005 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn /Getty Images)

The NFL’s free agent period starts at 4:00 pm EST on Thursday afternoon. It is about to get a whole lot more interesting as there will be another big name on the market. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Dallas Cowboys will release quarterback Tony Romo on Thursday.

Report: Dallas Cowboys to Release Tony Romo

Romo was injured in the Cowboys final pre-season game last year, leading to Dak Prescott taking the reigns as Dallas’ quarterback. He would excel in the role putting together a rookie of the year season, and leading the Cowboys to a 13-3 season, and the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. Even with the Cowboys playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, Prescott has established himself as their quarterback of the future, and it does not make sense to keep Romo on the roster.

Quarterback starved teams such as the Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos are already rumored to be preparing to pursue Romo in free agency. Romo turns 37 in April, but there is hope that he can bring starting caliber quarterback play for the next couple of years. Teams with a strong defense and supporting cast would do well to pick up Romo in the attempt to compete in 2017.

It is unclear whether the Cowboys will cut Romo immediately or under a June 1st designation. The June 1st designation would save the Cowboys $14 million against the NFL salary cap this year. However, Romo would still count $10.7 million on the 2017 salary cap and $8.9 million on the 2018 salary cap. If the Cowboys choose an immediate release of Romo, they save $5.1 million against the salary cap this year, and will carry $19.6 million hit in 2017. There would be no dead money in 2018.

Main Photo:
OXNARD, CA – JULY 30: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys passes during the first day of training camp on July 30, 2005 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn /Getty Images)